SUN VALLEY RECOGNIZES PRESIDENT'S EDUCATION AWARD RECIPIENTS

Congratulations to the 2018 Sun Valley President's Education Award recipients. The President’s Education Awards Program celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. President’s Education Awards are presented at three levels to students graduating from elementary, middle and high school based on criteria established by the United States Department of Education. This award program, established by President Reagan in 1983, helps schools recognize and honor students for outstanding academic achievement, academic improvement and commitment to education.

The President’s Education Award is a certificate signed by the President, the Secretary of Education and a school administrator. A lapel pin is presented to the honorees.

AWARD winner biographies

Justin Balchiunas plans to further his education at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. His educational interests include psychology and political science. He is a member of the National and Tri-M Honor Societies and an AP Scholar. Justin is the Choir President, Lead Cappies Critic, 4-yr honor roll recipient, chamber choir member, 4-yr theater participant and PBiS student committee member. He spends his free time working at Rita’s and is the proud recipient of the UMBC Centennial Award.

Sumaiya Begum will attend Drexel University to major in neuroscience. She plans to study neurological transduction networks and oncology to ultimately research in the field of neuro-oncology. She has participated in Delco Hi-Q, Debate, Science Olympiad, Boeing Business, PIRC, Vanguard Volunteers, Aston Leo’s, track and cross-country. She is a member of the National, Math, Science and Spanish Honor Societies, has received distinguished honor roll, is an AP Scholar and a state Debate competitor. Sumaiya spent time in Penn Summer Science Initiative and had an Internship at Yodh & Goulian Lab at the University of Penn.

Christina Billie will be majoring in journalism at Temple University. She aspires to become a well-known journalist in both the writing and broadcast fields. Christina is the senior editor of the yearbook, involved in the National and Spanish Honor Societies, an AP Scholar, and a four-year honor roll recipient. She spends her free time volunteering at St. Joseph’s Parish Prep Program and working at Maris Grove. She participated in the KYW Newsradio Newstudies Program and was awarded a scholarship from Maris Grove.

Alexis Bingeman will be attending West Chester University where she will double major in finance and accounting. She wants to work for a professional sports team and obtain her MBA.. While at Sun Valley, Alexis has been involved in the Spanish and Tri-M Honor Societies, Class of 2018 Committee, softball, Drama Club and Choir. Alexis is a four-year honor roll recipient and a DAR Good Citizen Award winner.

Samantha Bowen will be attending The University of Delaware to further her education. She will major in Biological Science. She aspires to become a physician assistant in the OB/GYN field and open her own practice. Samantha is a member of the National, Spanish and Math Honor Societies, student council, class committee and student senate. She is a member of the varsity soccer team and has earned honors such as offensive MVP, and All Ches-Mont and All Delco teams. Samantha is an AP Scholar and distinguished honor roll recipient.

Ryan Cassidy will be attending Pennsylvania State University studying to become a nuclear engineer in hopes of working on an aircraft carrier. He is a member of the marching and concert bands as well as cross country, lacrosse and indoor/outdoor track teams. Ryan is a current school record holder in track and field.

Kevin Connor will be studying computer engineering at Pennsylvania State University. He plans to get a job at a large tech company and relocate to the West coast. Kevin is a member of the National, Math and Science Honor Societies and class committee. He participated in varsity golf and varsity lacrosse as well as playing Ultimate Frisbee.

Madison Gutowiecz will be majoring in pre-pharmacy at The University of the Sciences. She hopes to work in a hospital supplying patients with medication. Madison is involved in the National, Science, Math and Spanish Honor Societies, as well as being a Class Committee member and four year honor roll recipient. She has been a member of the varsity softball team earning honors including All-Ches-Mont and All Delco teams, PA Sports Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete and the Butch Ryan Scholar Athlete Award. Madison is the recipient of a University of the Sciences Trustee Scholarship

Anna-Colette Haynes will attend The University of Delaware to study Art Conservation. She plans to work restoring historical paintings and photographs. She is currently working to complete her Girl Scout Gold Award. Anna-Colette is the recipient of a Regional Scholastic Gold Key for oil painting, was the district 2nd place winner and state participant in the National History Day Exhibition and was awarded the University of Delaware Trustee Scholarship.

Michael Hopkins will be attending Pennsylvania State University where he will study physics. He aspires to work at a college as a professor or take part in academic research. He would also like to publish books. He is a member of the National and Math Honor Societies, Hi-Q and class committee. He consistently receives honor roll , is a Commonwealth of PA Merit Award SAT winner, and an AP Scholar.

Jenna Ianieri will be attending The University of Virginia on a Full Access UVA Scholarship studying Biology (pre-med). Her ultimate goal is to attend medical school and become a pediatric pathologist. During her years at Sun Valley, she has been involved with the following activities: National, Spanish, Math, Science and Tri-M Honor Societies, Hi-Q, Drama Club, Choir and Class Committee. Jenna is an AP Scholar and has attained distinguished honors for four years.

Samantha Jex will attend Temple University where she plans to study nursing. Her career goal is to be come a pediatric nurse. Samantha has been a member of the SV marching band, track and vanguard volunteers. She has received distinguished honor roll and volunteers at the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. She was awarded a University Scholar Award from Temple.

Maya Jacyszyn will attend St. Joseph’s University to study theater and film to explore the motion picture industry and obtain a job as a screenwriter. Maya is a member of the National, and Tri-M Honor Societies as well as president of the Spanish Honor Society. She was captain of the Varsity basketball team this year and played Varsity soccer in the past. Maya has been a proud member of the Sun Valley Marching Band for four years and earned the position of Pit Section leader for the past two years. She is an honor roll student who was awarded the University Scholarship form St. Joseph’s University.

Olivia Lambert will be studying pre-dental at The University of Pittsburgh in the fall. Her goal is to become an orthodontist and own her own practice. She is a member of the National, Math and Science Honor Societies as well as being treasurer of the Spanish Honor Society. She is the treasurer of the Class of 2018 as well as Student Senate, was a Varsity Soccer Captain, participated in PIRC and competition dance, is a Peer Buddy and was an honor roll recipient.

James Leo will be attending Duquesne University where he will study Sports Media and hopes to work for a professional sports team upon receiving his degree. He is a member of the National, Spanish and Math Honor Societies. He is a member of the Marching Band, and was the Drum Captain for two years. He is an honor roll recipient and received 1st Place at the Science Fair his freshman year. He has volunteered with the American Lung Association and at the Aston Library. He is the recipient of a Duquesne University Academic Scholarship.

Devon Linn will be studying mathematics at The George Washington University in the fall. She wants to be a professor of mathematics and conduct research at a university. She is a member of the National, Science and Spanish Honor Societies as well as being Treasurer of the Math Honor Society. While at Sun Valley, Devon has participated in Class Committee, Hi-Q, PIRC. She was a Varsity Soccer Captain earning All Ches-Mont and All Delco honors. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a four year distinguished honor roll recipient who was awarded a Presidential Academic Scholarship from George Washington University.

Brendan McGinn will be studying Biological Engineering at Pennsylvania State University. He aims to earn a research role at a pharmaceutical firm. While at Sun Valley, Brendan has been a member of the National, Math, Spanish and Tri-M Honor Societies. He is a member of Delco HI-Q, PA Envirothon, SV Theater/Stage Crew, Class Committee and is an AP Scholar.

Gianni Palmarini is one of 28 students selected from across the country to pursue a BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University in North Carolina. His ultimate goal is to build magnificent relationships and perform old and new works around the world. He is a four time Cappie Award nominee and the recipient of an Elon University Presidential Scholarship.

Elizabeth Powell will be attending West Chester University where she will dual major in Business Management and Musical Theatre. She plans to manage a business while pursing her passion for the performing arts. She is a member of the Math, Spanish, Science and Tri-M Honor Societies as well as being Treasurer of the National Honor Society. She is a Class Vice President and a member of the Drama Club, Peer Buddy, Student Senate, Concert Choir, Class Committee, and the Theatre League. Elizabeth is an AP Scholar and a 4-year honor roll recipient and spends her free time performing with a Competition Dance Studio.

Casey Purfield will attend Boston College to study finance. Her dream is to become a lawyer at a large firm. She is a member of the National, Science and Spanish Honor Societies as well as being Secretary for the Math Honor Society. She participated in both Varsity Soccer and Track and Field where she held Captain roles for both. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a distinguished honor roll recipient. She received Honorable Mention All Delco for Soccer and the 7th Congressional District Scholar Athlete Award.

Leah Roth plans to attend The University of Pittsburgh where she will study Environmental Science with a career goal of working on sustainable energy. She is a member of the Spanish and Math Honor Societies as well as being Secretary of the National Honor Society. Leah participated in PIRC and played Varsity Soccer for four years. She volunteers with the AYSA Special Needs Soccer Program and coaches a youth soccer team.

Veronica Roth will attend The University of Pittsburgh with a career goal of working with renewable energy. She is a member of the Math, Science and Spanish Honor Societies as well as holding the Vice-President role in the National Honor Society. She attended PIRC and is a 4-year Varsity Soccer player who also volunteers her time with a special needs soccer program and coaches a youth soccer team.

Dominique Schaefer plans to major in neuroscience at Bucknell University. Her ultimate goal is to attend medical school and become a neurologist. She is a member of the National, Spanish, Science and Tri-M Honor Societies as well as the President of the Math Honor Society. She participates in PIRC, Hi-Q, choir as a co-alto section leader, class committee and Drama Club. Dominique is an AP Scholar and 4-yr distinguished honor roll recipient.

Jacqueline Scheck will study music therapy at West Chester University. She would like to earn her degree and become a certified Music Therapist. She is a member of The National, Science, Spanish and Tri-M Honor Societies. Jacqueline participates in chorus, chamber choir, Sun Valley Theater, Class Committee, PBIS and the acclaimed Cappies.

Julia Skwirut is enrolled in the nursing program at the University of Pittsburgh where, after getting her BNS, she would like to become either a nurse practitioner or a nurse anesthetist. She is a member of the National, Spanish, Math, Science and Technical Honor Societies. Julia is the Class President and the student representative on the School Board. She participates in PIRC, Student Senate, and Peer-Tutoring. She played ultimate frisbee, soccer and softball and was a 3-time coaches award winner. She was recognized as the Medical Careers Student of the Quarter.

Maura Stokarski plans to attend Pennsylvania State University where she wants to continue her education and become a nurse so she can help people. She is a member of The National, Math, Science and Tri-M Honor Societies as well as being the Secretary of the Spanish Honor Society. She is a member of the Class Committee and Therater program. Maura has attained honor roll status all 4 years. In her free time, she competes in dance, works at Wawa, helps at theater camps and is involved in her church.

Emily Taylor plans to attend The University of Delaware and major in chemical engineering. She will pursue a degree in Food Science or Biotechnology. She is a member of The National, Math, Science, Spanish and Tri-M Honor Societies. She is involved with the Marching Band, Concert Choir, Robotics, Vanguard Volunteers and Reading Olympics. Emily is an AP Scholar, honor roll recipient and was awarded the AAUW Junior Girls Recognition Award and a University of Delaware Trustee Scholarship.

Madison Thomason will study Forensic Science at Cedar Crest College. She wants to work in a crime lab and eventually earn her Doctorate Degree. She is a member of The National, Math, Science and Spanish Honor Societies. She is an AP student, participates in Robotics and is a 4-yr honor roll recipient. She was awarded multiple scholarships from Cedar Crest College.

Christina Villano will attend Cedar Crest College and major in Forensic Science. She aspires to work in a crime lab. She is a member of The National, Science, French and Tri-M Honor Societies. She is involved in Concert Band and Dance at Parkside Academy of Music and Dance. Cedar Crest is honoring her academics with academic scholarships.